Monye close to tears as Lions restore pride (From Surrey Comet)

Monye close to tears as Lions restore pride

9:23am Friday 10th July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

Harlequins and England winger Ugo Monye has revealed he was close to tears when he touched down for British & Irish Lions in their third Test win over South Africa at the weekend.

The 26-year-old scored his side's crucial third try - a 90 metre interception effort - in Saturday's 28-9 triumph as the Lions restored some pride in Durban, despite losing the series 2-1.

Monye had been left out of the second Test having been made the scapegoat for his side's series opening defeat last month as he let two scoring opportunities go begging.

But he roared back to form to finish as the tourists' highest try scorer and he admitted to being a little overcome having added a try and two Lions Test caps to his list of honours this summer.

"I almost cried when I put the ball down - to look up and see all the British and Irish Lions supporters was amazing," he told the RFU podcast.

"It's been a long tour but I have loved every minute of it. It's been a great honour to have put on and won in a Lions Test jersey."

Monye's exploits saw him retain a place in England manager Martin Johnson's Elite Player Squad for the forthcoming autumn internationals.